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PISCATAWAY, N.J. (May 17, 2012) – Rutgers senior linebacker Khaseem Greene (Elizabeth, N.J.) was named a preseason All-American today by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview. Greene, the 2011 Co-BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, was one of 18 Scarlet Knights named to Steele’s four All-BIG EAST teams as well.
Greene finished with 141 tackles as a junior to lead the BIG EAST and ranked 12th nationally. He was the first BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year in school history in his first year at linebacker for the Scarlet Knights.
Steele’s College Football Preview also listed five RU players on his All-BIG EAST First Team. In addition to Greene, RU’s first team selections included senior defensive tackle Scott Vallone (Central Islip, N.Y.), senior linebacker Steve Beauharnais (Saddle Brook, N.J.), junior cornerback Logan Ryan (Berlin, N.J.) and junior kick returner Jeremy Deering (Tampa, Fla.).
On Steele’s All-BIG EAST Second Team included sophomore running back Savon Huggins (Jackson, N.J.), senior defensive back Duron Harmon (Magnolia, Del.) and sophomore offensive lineman Kaleb Johnson (Jacksonville, Fla.).
Preseason third team picks for the Scarlet Knights were sophomore wide receiver Brandon Coleman (Accokeek, Md.), senior offensive tackle R.J. Dill (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), true freshman defensive tackle Darius Hamilton (West Paterson, N.J.) and senior punter Justin Doerner (Redondo Beach, Calif.).
Rounding out the preseason selections for RU on the fourth team were sophomore running back Jawan Jamison (Starke, Fla.), senior wide receiver Mark Harrison (Stratford, Conn.), senior tight end D.C. Jefferson (Winter Haven, Fla.), junior center Dallas Hendrikson (St. Ansgar, Iowa), junior linebacker Jamal Merrell (Bear, Del.) and senior cornerback Brandon Jones (Sicklerville, N.J.).
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Yeah, it’s that time again. Spring practice right around the corner, the smell of the grass and the smacking of the pads!
Francis Kicking Butt At East/West Shrine Practices
Defensive Line
The lone defensive end standout has been Rutgers’ Justin Francis (6-2/270). Other than being the West’s most vocal defender, Francis slashes in from the edge and has consistently beaten offensive tackles to the spot. Francis finds contact through his hands, but too often guesses on plays, allowing cutback lanes to open after he gets upfield. Francis has a Charles Johnson frame, so leverage is not an issue. He just needs to focus.
Desmond Wynn Impresses at East/West Shrine Practice
Projected Round: 5th-7th
OG Desmond Wynn (6’5”, 305), Rutgers: Wynn has been rising up some draft boards with a strong senior season. He’s got a good frame and shows really good base and quickness. Consistency seems to be his biggest problem, but his draft stock is rising. He looks like the type of player that a team will look to develop given his raw tools. (note: he is worth drafting just to make my caption for the picture come true)
Sanu’s Value Climbing
In his first mock draft
, ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr. has Sanu going No. 26 to the Houston Texans. Kiper also has Sanu rated as the No. 4 receiver available in the draft. Kiper says this of Sanu in his mock draft write-up: Sanu is the type of guy who can stretch the field and be a huge threat across from (Andre) Johnson. And when you consider that Johnson will be 31 entering the 2012 season, the Texans need this kind of presence around if he misses any more time. Sanu is hugely productive, creates space, has good speed and can contribute early.
Since 2000, the only year the Big East did not have a first-round pick in the NFL draft was 2006. This class does not seem particularly strong. If you look at the top 5 players Kiper ranked at each position, the Big East only has two — Sanu and West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin, rated as an outside linebacker.
More Mohamed Sanu. This kid operates in Beast Mode every day, every play.
Rutgers All Big East wide receiver Mohamed Sanu has declared himself eligible for the 2012 NFL draft. Rutgers could not have asked for a more dedicated, harder working, or better representative of the program than Mohamed Sanu. Selfishly I would have liked to see him come back but I wish him the best at the next level. I’d love to see him in Silver and Black but draft positioning makes that unlikely.
Rutgers offensive lineman Desmond Wynn has been invited to the 2012 NFL Combine. Good luck Des!
BEAST Rutgers defensive lineman Justin Francis has been invited to the 2012 NFL Combine. Good luck Justin!
QB Tom Savage may be back in a Rutgers uniform next season. This is great news as it adds much needed depth to the position. This also allows for a great competition between Savage (RS-JR), Nova (SO), Dodd (JR), Bimonte (RS-FR), Hammersma (RS-FR), and Rankin (FR). I hope the rumors are true and I am definitely ready to welcome Tom back to The Banks.
Congratulations to Eric LeGrand for being chosen as sports greatest story of 2011. Eric’s journey back from a spinal chord injury has been slow, but steady. Throughout he’s kept a positive outlook and been an inspiration for people around the world. Keep Choppin Eric!
The Oakland Raiders take possession of first place in the AFC West after beating San Diego on the road. Listening to the crowd noise you would never think this was a road game.
Rutgers University wider receiver Mohamed Sanu was honored as the Big East Offensive Player of the Week after breaking the conference’s season reception record previously held by Larry Fitzgerald of Pitt (now with the Arizona Cardinals). Sanu’s 94 receptions this season have set the Rutgers mark as well, beating Kenny Britt’s 87 catches in 2008.
Eric LeGrand leads Rutgers onto the field against West Virginia. Although the outcome of the game was not what fans wanted, this was the most important moment.
In the wake of Jason Campbell’s broken collar bone, the Raiders trade for quarterback Carson Palmer from the Bengals.
